He had survived through the darkest of night in his tent, if he could make it to the summit tomorrow, that would take him to the peak of peace, Rudraksh thought. He was at the base camp with Aum, Dorjee, Sanghya and Mr HR who were all geared up to climb, one after the other in a silent succession.
The next day, silvery capped mountains looked inviting and promising. There was an unsaid assurance that the morning rays promised. Amidst the inclement weather they started walking. It was a very steep climb, the toughest. The spikes in the boots were making the trail and the shovel and the axe were helping to progress on the unknown terrains. Their footing needed firmness and fortitude in this last stretch. From far off now, they could see the glimpse of the summit. A step, one at a time they all took one after the other.
Closer they reached to the summit and then suddenly a twist in his ankle –and Rudraksh slipped. He was at the end in the trail and somehow he couldn’t utter a word in the icy winds. Acrophobic he has been since his childhood that had made him fearful of heights and against his parents will, he had decided to climb the Everest at 8848 meteres.
Rudraksh didn’t know what to do …he was closest to the peak of the mountain…just a few feet away from the summit with his troupe and then suddenly he felt lost, he felt like giving up, just sitting where he was now! His breathing was becoming shallow, palpitation slow, body was sinking, eyes closing, an unknown fear covering him. The spine chilling cold amidst the minus temperature was making his hands freeze, the frost bite has made his hands numb and his legs paralyse as if.
He would faint soon, if he stayed here for few more minutes. His tears freezed, voice choked. In searching for his hammer to pave the way, he groped his bag, his helmet light was supporting and voila—he found his Ganpati—his companion since his childhood! In his feeble voice he thanked him and grabbed the rope, tightening his carabiner, fixing his harness and moved an inch.
The presence of Gajanana was palpable to him strongly, he felt being folded in his trunk with the rope, climbing up gradually. Throughout this climb, he was smiling, breathing a new lease of life, fears evaporating, regained strength, a new life, a new he-he was with his Vighnaharta Ganapati.
Every step made the panorama look more beautiful, he was closer to the summit where all were waiting for him. Aum’s voice was audible to him now. Seeing Rudraksh they all wanted to shout, their happiness knew no bounds, they were indeed on the cloud nine—now. Dorjee had climbed several feets down in search of Rudraksh, they both were heading for the summit.
“The best view comes after the hardest climb” repeating the Master’s words, reminded Kartavya to Rudraksh. Sanghya patted on his back, and they all joined the jubilation and unanimously they chimed, “he made to his hardest climb.”
After battling for their life and each breath, they reached to the peak, the scenery was indescribable to them, spellbinding, mesmerizing, agaped they all were at the vastness of nature, its magnitude and their pigmy presence in its front.
Rudraksh took out his clayed Ganpati with love, made a snow heap, placed him at the top and offering prayer did his Visarjana there. They all offered their prayers, ate chocolates, took a selfie, smiled in togetherness, knowing—that each one of them have climbed to their inner Everest.
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